21 February 2026

Adorable New RPG for Nintendo Switch Has Serious Legend of Zelda Vibes

By newsgame

Blending retro gameplay mechanics with adorable anime aesthetics, Under the Island sends players on an epic RPG adventure filled with 2D action-adventure elements, classic 90s gaming charm, and a delightful blend of combat and puzzles that hearkens back to the golden age of role-playing games that have recently become synonymous with Nintendo. Under the Island launched for Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on February 17, and early comparisons to some of the best entries in The Legend of Zelda series have once again highlighted the Switch as one of the best gaming platforms for retro-style RPG fans.

Some of the oldest roleplaying game franchises have continued to prove popular among modern audiences, with the likes of Final Fantasy, Trials of Mana, Chrono Trigger, The Legend of Dragoon, and, of course, The Legend of Zelda still ranking among the most beloved series within the RPG genre. Both PlayStation and Nintendo systems have historically served as home to some of the best action role-playing games of all time, and while many have made the leap to PC and remained on PlayStation, the Nintendo Switch in particular has proven to be incredibly popular for RPG launches. Whether it’s the system itself or the Switch’s primary audience, Nintendo consoles and old-school role-playing games with nostalgic graphics seem to be a match made in gaming heaven.

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Under the Island is an Obvious Choice for Legend of Zelda Fans

Under the Island sees players taking on the role of Nia, a young newcomer to Seashell Island, who must team up with local girl Avocado to investigate the island’s ominous fate of sinking beneath the ocean. The two will need to explore colorful regions, ranging from the chilly ice caps of Bran Bran Peak to tropical villages and dusty deserts full of sentient walking pots and other curious oddities to be discovered. Nia will use her trusty hockey stick to battle against a variety of foes and can uncover new treasures by completing dungeons and mini-games that will help her to grow her power and abilities as she progresses with classic RPG-action gameplay. Similar to other games like The Legend of Zelda, Under the Island prioritizes player-driven exploration in equal measure with combat, with plenty of secrets to find.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)

In addition to Nia’s hockey stick, players will also be able to gather tools like a shovel, a trumpet, and even a bird to help along the way in Under the Island. Fans will also be able to interact with the local villagers throughout each region, with the opportunity to trade certain goods in exchange for useful items. Certain fauna wandering about the island can also be “negotiated” with, though players will need to be careful of which creatures they approach, as some will prove more fatal than friendly. Strange enemies will force Nia to think on her feet and make use of her full arsenal of weapons, artifacts, loot, and abilities, making each encounter different. From a cast of memorable characters across six distinct regions to a classic top-down perspective of the anime-inspired world, Under the Island cleverly sets itself apart from other upcoming action-adventure RPGs.

Why is Under the Island a Perfect Match for the Nintendo Switch?

Just from the gameplay alone, it is easy to see why Under the Island has earned its Zelda comparisons, though many may wonder why the Switch version of the game seems to be receiving extra applause. Anyone who has watched a Nintendo Direct over the past several years has no doubt noticed the sheer number of farming simulator games that have popped up, but there has also been a consistent pattern of newer Switch releases wanting to revitalize the stylings of 90s gaming. While a number of modern releases have made the key transition to 3D graphics, others, like Under the Island, instead choose to maintain the same vibe of classic entries with 2D visuals while also adding in advanced technological updates for a unique blend of nostalgia and newness that seems to have struck a chord with Switch gamers.

Arguably the biggest benefit of the Switch is its portability, and the addictive gameplay and challenging dungeons of Under the Island do seem to pair perfectly with being able to take the game on the go, or at least around the house. While not an action-RPG like Under the Island, Stardew Valley is a great example of a fellow title that has found a massive, dedicated audience on the Switch. Again, Stardew Valley checks the boxes for old-school gameplay with its similarities to Harvest Moon (yet another iconic Nintendo franchise) and pixelated 2D graphics that remind players of the good ol’ days of 90s gaming. Granted, Stardew has also found success on other platforms, but many quickly associate the game with Switch consoles due to the sheer quantity of other releases, Under the Island included, that scratch the same “old but new” itch that Nintendo keeps providing.

Why Are Anime-Style Games So Popular on Nintendo Switch?

A number of games with anime visuals and RPG gameplay for Nintendo Switch have earned praise from critics and players alike, with fans often enjoying the obvious Japanese influence present in offerings released on a system that has broken a number of sales records in its home country and abroad. It has become almost expected for “anime-style” games to launch for either Nintendo Switch or PlayStation consoles, with Under the Island being no exception. The question then becomes why the Switch still seems to be outpacing the competition in terms of retro-looking games. One could argue that the lesser technical power of the Switch makes it rather fitting to be the place where low-poly releases and pixelated games like Under the Island find their audience. However, it may in fact be the internal IPs of Nintendo that create a more welcoming environment for these launches.

While the dozens of games inspired by The Legend of Zelda will undeniably prioritize the Switch, as that is where those most interested in new releases with the same vibes as their favorite games reside, it is worth noting that other Nintendo hits like Xenoblade Chronicles and Fire Emblem have helped to draw in both the RPG and anime crowd. Even third-party releases like Japanese animation giant Studio Ghibli’s Ni no Kuni series and games based on anime franchises like Dragon Ball, Demon Slayer, and Hunter x Hunter have all made their way to the Nintendo Switch despite performance limitations, perhaps indicating that the console itself does indeed have enough fandom crossover to be the perfect home for anime-style games.

Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.

Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)

Of course, only time will tell if Under the Island and other retro-inspired, anime-esque releases can earn the same legacy as heavy-hitters like The Legend of Zelda, but the repeated pattern of classic gameplay with eye-catching graphics finding particular success on Nintendo systems is certainly showing no signs of slowing anytime soon. Under the Island is available now for Nintendo Switch and joins a steadily growing Switch library of adorable role-playing games with old-school vibes and a hint of anime.